By Kelli Latuska
This past Friday, Congress adopted a Continuing Resolution (CR) funding bill that was subsequently signed by the President. While the CR avoided a federal government shutdown, it also had direct financial implications for the City of Duluth.
"Congress recently passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year,” said Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert. “While this provides some budget certainty at the federal level, it also means the loss of funding for two critical infrastructure projects. The City of Duluth will not receive $1.5 million in funding for the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant.”
Reinert noted that the City of Duluth remains confident the $11.2 million in RAISE funding received earlier this year will be applied to the Aerial Lift Bridge. This is expected to round out funding for that critical project.
“While the $1.5 million loss to funding the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant rehabilitation is disappointing, the City of Duluth will continue to work with local legislators to secure state funding," said Reinert. "These critical upgrades to our regional water infrastructure are not just required by the EPA, but they are the right thing to do to protect the best drinking water in Minnesota."
